Driver Education Chapter 6 Drinking, Drugs, and Health Page 103

Effects of alcohol Alcohol is a drug that affects overall driving ability. Alcohol is a drug that affects overall driving ability. –overconfident and unable to think clearly. –Even if a motorist thinks he/she is below the level of legal intoxication, alcohol will affect driving. –Drinking even a small amount of alcohol increases a motorist’s chances of having an accident. Never drink and drive. Senses and judgment are impaired by alcohol. Senses and judgment are impaired by alcohol. After 2, 3 or 4 drinks, impairs reaction time, coordination and balance. After 2, 3 or 4 drinks, impairs reaction time, coordination and balance. Vision and the ability to judge distance are affected, Vision and the ability to judge distance are affected, The only thing that can make a person sober is time. The only thing that can make a person sober is time

BAC The only scientific way to check is through blood alcohol concentration, or BAC. A simple breath test will show a motorist’s BAC. BAC is determined by four factors: The only scientific way to check is through blood alcohol concentration, or BAC. A simple breath test will show a motorist’s BAC. BAC is determined by four factors: Quantity of alcohol consumed Quantity of alcohol consumed Body weight Body weight How quickly drinks were consumed How quickly drinks were consumed Food eaten Food eaten The best way to reduce the risk of a crash caused by drinking and driving is not to drive at all after drinking. The best way to reduce the risk of a crash caused by drinking and driving is not to drive at all after drinking.

Don’t Drink and Drive It is illegal anyone to drive: 21 years of age or older to drive with a BAC of.08 percent or higher. 21 years of age or older to drive with a BAC of.08 percent or higher. For individuals younger than 21, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of.01 percent or higher. For individuals younger than 21, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of.01 percent or higher. –BAC above.05 percent after drinking, the risk for accident doubles. –The risk is 6 times with a BAC of.10 percent. –The risk is 25 times with a BAC of.15 percent. – –

Don’t Drink and Drive Note: Under state law, refusal to take a breath test is equal to driving with a BAC of.08 percent for a first offense. Note: Under state law, refusal to take a breath test is equal to driving with a BAC of.08 percent for a first offense. The current penalty for both is the loss of driving privileges for 7 months to 1 year, to run concurrently or consecutively, based upon a judge’s order. The current penalty for both is the loss of driving privileges for 7 months to 1 year, to run concurrently or consecutively, based upon a judge’s order. Motorists who refuse to take a breath test in New Jersey are also subject to an MVC insurance surcharge of $1,000 per year for three years. Failure to pay this surcharge will result in an indefinite suspension of driving privileges until the fee is paid. Motorists who refuse to take a breath test in New Jersey are also subject to an MVC insurance surcharge of $1,000 per year for three years. Failure to pay this surcharge will result in an indefinite suspension of driving privileges until the fee is paid.

Drinking and driving Drinking affects a motorist’s thinking and slows reaction time. Drinking affects a motorist’s thinking and slows reaction time. Gives a false feeling of being Superman: Gives a false feeling of being Superman: Speeding: An intoxicated driver often thinks high speed driving is safe Speeding: An intoxicated driver often thinks high speed driving is safe Weaving: Even though an intoxicated driver may stay in the correct lane, driving straight may be a problem Weaving: Even though an intoxicated driver may stay in the correct lane, driving straight may be a problem

Drinking and driving Slow driving: An intoxicated driver may be overly cautious and drive slower than the normal traffic flow Slow driving: An intoxicated driver may be overly cautious and drive slower than the normal traffic flow Jerking motion: An intoxicated driver often may have short mental lapses and not keep a steady speed on a clear road Jerking motion: An intoxicated driver often may have short mental lapses and not keep a steady speed on a clear road Quick stops: An intoxicated driver may make sudden stops at a traffic sign or light, rather than easing up to it Quick stops: An intoxicated driver may make sudden stops at a traffic sign or light, rather than easing up to it

Do NOT let others Drink and Drive! Never insist that a guest should drink an alcoholic beverage or insist on refills. Never insist that a guest should drink an alcoholic beverage or insist on refills. Suggest a nap or invite the guest to spend the night. Get a DD or Taxi. Suggest a nap or invite the guest to spend the night. Get a DD or Taxi. As a last resort, notify the police. As a last resort, notify the police.

Do NOT let others Drink and Drive! Designated drivers not only ensure the safety of the people they are escorting home but also the safety of other motorists. Designated drivers not only ensure the safety of the people they are escorting home but also the safety of other motorists.

Drugs and driving Do not drive under any prescription drugs that have “may cause drowsiness on the label”. Do not drive under any prescription drugs that have “may cause drowsiness on the label”. Never mix drugs ask doctor about possible side effects or how the drug may affect driving. Never mix drugs ask doctor about possible side effects or how the drug may affect driving. Alcohol should never be mixed with any drugs or medications. Alcohol should never be mixed with any drugs or medications. Prescription drugs must show proof Prescription drugs must show proof –No prescription, drug is considered illegal. Marijuana (second most often found with drivers involved in collisions) use may affect a motorist in the following ways: Marijuana (second most often found with drivers involved in collisions) use may affect a motorist in the following ways:

Marijuana Second to alcohol in collisions caused because: Second to alcohol in collisions caused because: Loss of tracking ability: This is the ability to maintain a vehicle in a given line. Loss of tracking ability: This is the ability to maintain a vehicle in a given line. Distance judgment: Following too closely can cause problems. Distance judgment: Following too closely can cause problems. Vigilance: Not remaining attentive to the driving task can cause a motorist to follow too closely, drift into another lane, etc. Vigilance: Not remaining attentive to the driving task can cause a motorist to follow too closely, drift into another lane, etc. Divided attention: Driving is a task that requires constant attention to traffic, roadway and weather conditions, passengers, gauges, etc. Divided attention: Driving is a task that requires constant attention to traffic, roadway and weather conditions, passengers, gauges, etc.

Healthy Driving Health Health Any health problem can affect an individual’s driving. Vision Any health problem can affect an individual’s driving. Vision Vision is important to safe driving. Vision is important to safe driving. A motorist should have eyes tested every year (especially over 40) or two. A motorist should have eyes tested every year (especially over 40) or two. Be a good judge of distance Be a good judge of distance Hearing Hearing It can warn a motorist of danger. Even people with good hearing cannot hear well if the radio is blaring or he/she is wearing earphones. It can warn a motorist of danger. Even people with good hearing cannot hear well if the radio is blaring or he/she is wearing earphones.